Drying apparatus for molds



2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 26, 1945 ,www

1N VEN TOR.

Wmv QN MW 3U, 1950 c. F. MAYER 2,509,396

DRYING APPARATUS FOR MOLDS Filed March 26. 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fini- INVENTOR.

BY fml JW M w? ATTYJ.

Patented May 30, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to drying apparatus, and it has to do more particularly with apparatus for drying freshly applied or green sand linings of ingot mold flasks or the like, and which, in its preferred form, may be termed a drying bench.

An object of the invention is to provide a drying apparatus having a relatively low flat benchlike section on which the flasks may be easily and quickly placed, as by means of a crane or hoisting apparatus using an overhead carriage, preparatory to drying the linings, and from which, after the linings are dried, the flasks may be removed with equal facility.

Another object of the invention is to provide drying apparatus of the aforesaid character that is very eiiicient, and is economical of operation, such operation being characterized by a recirculation and reheating of the drying fluid.

A further object is to provide drying apparatus of the character described including adapters by the use of which mold flasks of various sizes may be effectively handled; and to include means for apportioning the drying fluid among the flasks according to their sizes.

A still further object is to provide drying apparatus that is of simple design and construction, is compact and therefore occupies a small amount of space relative to its capacity.

The foregoing objects with others that will appear as this description proceeds are attained in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a plan View of drying apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View thereof, with the :fluid heater, fan and other parts shown in elevation; lEig. 3 is a fragmentary central longitudinal section through the apparatus, showing mold flasks of different sizes emplaced thereon for drying, and Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line L -4 of Fig. 3.

In the drawings, like reference characters are used to designate the corresponding parts in the several views, and in the form of the invention selected for illustrative purposes, the apparatus comprises an elongated bench-like structure designated generally by the reference numeral I. The foundation of this structure desirably consists of a unit 2 of poured concrete, although it may be built up of other suitable material, and it is shown as extending a, suitable distance above and below the plane of the floor 3.

An extension 5, at one end of the unit, provides a base on which is mounted a fluid heater of the circulating type, shown conventionally at S, the

outlet of which has connection, through conduit means 1, with the inlet of fluid impelling means 8 which, in the present instance, consists of a, centrifuga1 blower. The blower may be driven by an electric motor 9 through a transmission belt or chain I9 that is engaged over pulleys or sprockets on the shafts of the motor and blower. the shaft of the latter` being designated II.

It is clear from Figs. 2, 3 and 4 that the unit 2 is generally of channel or trough formation, and a, lining I5, which preferably consists of insu lating cement, is applied to the bottom and sides thereof, as well as to the end wall remote from the heater 6. Top wall sections I6 extend across the top of the unit 2, and between said sections are inlet openings I'I that communicate with a chamber or tunnel-like passage I9 enclosed by the structure I. The openings I'I are surrounded or defined by upward extensions of the side-wall linings I 5 and shallow walls 2l) that rise from the opposed edges of adjacent wall sections I6. At its end nearest the heater 6 the structure I is provided with a flue 22 to which is connected. a duct 23 that leads to the inlet of the heater 6i.

Extending substantially the full length of the chamber or tunnel-like passage I9, and shown as resting on the bottom thereof, is a casing or duct 25 that communicates at one end with the outlet of the iiuid impelling means or blower 8. Rising from the casing or duct 25 centrally of each opening I'I, is a discharge nozzle 26, shown as provided with a damper 21, the operating shaft 28 of which extends out through the side of the structure I and is equipped with operating means 29, shown as a crank.

On the top of the structure I are suitably arranged I-beams 30, the top surfaces of which are flush with the tops of the walls that deine the openings I'I. These I-beams, resting upon the relatively heavy walls of unit 2, sustain the weight of the mold asks, as will hereafter more fully appear. I have already made mention of the fact that the `apparatus is intended to handle mold flasks of different sizes, and while flasks, within a given range of sizes, may be placed, with their drags, directly upon the bench-like structure in register with the openings I1, in those cases where the end area of the flask is considerably larger than the area of an opening II, or where the flask is so small that its longer end dimension is less than the corresponding dimension of such opening, I employ adapters 32 in the form of plates that are large enough to have marginal bearing on the I-beams and properly support the ask, or the flask and its drag, and which plates are provided with passageways or openings 33 through which the openings of the apparatus.. communicate with the interior of the flask.

Flasks, designated F, are shown in Figs. 3 and 4 as supported, through their drags D, on adapters 32, over the openings of the structure I. The flasks are of the usual ingot mold type, open at both ends, and provided with sand linings f'. Applied to the open tops of the flasks are means 35 for Apartially closing said fopen tops, such means desirably consisting of perforated plates, the perforations being designated 36.

In the use of the apparatus, the adapters 32, where required, are placed on the `structure l with their passageways 33 registeringwith-t-he openings Il of the apparatus. Nowsbymeanseof a crane or overhead hoist, the mold flasks are swung over the structure l Yandi-brought to rest upon the same with their interiors aligned :with the openings of the structure.

It will ,be understood that the flaskshavebeen freshly lined withmoist sand, and itis .thepurpose of .the operation .to jdrythegreen sandlinings. In case a less number of flasks -are to be 'treated than there are openings ll in the benchilike structure I, any opening or. .openings inexcess cf the number of flasks is or are closed by suitablev means, as by the ,placing of aplate or Aplates .thereover. "When the flasks have 'been properly arranged on the drying bench orstructure l, their opentopsare partially closedby the means-35. Assuming that the 'iluidheater E is in operation, v electric current is supplied to V.the motor 9 .through vthe usual conductors .(not shown) and, thus energized, the motor.. drives the -fluid impelling means 8. This results Vin hot vair being vdrawnxfrom the heater .6 through the .conduit "l and delivered vunder pressure to the cas- 'insonduct 25. With the damnersZl .onen-.to the extent required, .theheated fluid is discharged 'through thenozzles 2t c entrallywithin the. cavities of Ithe flasks. Thekinetic energycf .thehot fluid 4issuing from the nozzles 25 causes said 'uid to ascend directly .to the topof the cavity, notwithstanding the. fact that l.a down- WardlOWiS induced .about the. column of yrising fluidpy the suction prevailing within the .chamber or. passage I 9. irhislatter condition, :it vmay be explained, results frommhe fact that said y chainloeror passage is. in .constant communication,.through .the ,C OllduitjZS, with the inlctof .the -fluid heater. Thus itwillbeseen thatl as long ,as theiheatenuand :duid 4unpelling means gare .in operation, the fluid .is b eing., circulated through the cavities of the flask in thev generaldirection indicatedbythe arrows. in Fig. 3. The hot fluid .Sweeping down .along .the .side wallspf the .flask rapidly ldrive off the .moisture-from the. green sandlining. While, in the interest of efciency, it A.is .essential that `.as much ofthe yheated .fluid ,as possible be conserved, it ,is equallyimportant that,abuildingupoffan inertbodyof fluidat the :top .of the cavityrbe avoided,.as such would ,prevent the vincoming highly heated vfluid from reaching the top-portion of thelining. Thisdifliculty .is prevented ,by v.partially closing the ,open .tops of .the flasks v.by 4the.previouslly mentioned means .35, consisting, .in `:the present embodiment offperforatedplates.

Having thus .described fmy invention, what .'I claim is:

1. Apparatus of the :class described comprisingfa structure on the top of which are adapted to rest freshly lined openbottom fmold haaks, .a duct system hai/,ine :outlet .Quennss discharging upwardly through said top and inlet openings in the top adjacent the former openings so that a flask may be placed on said structure with its open bottom over associated outlet and inlet openings, a fluid heater of the circulating type in circuit with said system, and fluid impelling means incorporated in the system for recirculating fluid therethrough.

2. Apparatus of the class described comprising -a structure Von the top of which are Yadapted to rest freshly lined moldjlasks thatare open at top and bottom, a duct system having outlet .1 openings discharging upwardly through said top and inletopenings in the top adjacent the former openings'sothat a, flask may be placed on said v. structure with its open bottom over associated outlet and inlet openings, means adapted to be Iapplied to the'cpen top of said flask for partially ...closingthe same, a fiuid heater of the circulating type in circuit with said system, and fluid ,.impelling means .incorporated in the system for recirculating fluid therethrough.

" 3. Apparatus of theclass described comprising a structure on the top of which are adapted to rest freshlylined open-bottom mold flasks of different sizes, a ductsystem having outlet openings dischargingupwardly through said top and inlet openings in the top adjacent the. former openings, adaptersfor placement upon said. top over associated outlet and inlet openings and `lhaving a passageway ,communicating with vsaid openings. said adapters being .provided for the support of mold asks with the open bottoms of said flasks over .said passageways, a uid heater v of thecirculatingtype in circuitwith said duct system, and fluid impelling means incorporated tin the system 'forrecirculating fluid therethrough.

L4.1%.pparatus of the class described compris- .ing a structure .on the top of which are adapted -to rest freshlylined open-bottom mold flasks, a Aduct system .having outlet. openings discharging upwardly through said top substantiallycentrally .into .mold `flasks disposed .thereover, the system having, also, inlet openings in .thetop between the former openings and theplane of the side wallsof. the flasks, a uid heater of the circulating type in circuit Vwith said duct system, and

fluid impelling means Aincorporated in the system for recirculating iluid therethrough.

.5. Apparatus `of the .class described-.comprisingVv a. structure on the vtop .of .which are adapted to. rest .freshly linedincld .flasks thatare .open Yat top-.and bottom,.a duct system-having outlet openings .that .dischargeupwardly through -said top substantially. ,centrally .of a. mold .flask disposed .thereoven .the vsystem having, also, inlet openingsin .said top between the former openings and the plane oftheside Walls of theflask, means applied `to the opentops. of the flasks for partially .closingthesama afluid heater of the circulating type in circuit with said duct system, and fluid impelling means incorporated in the sysrternfor recirculating iiuid therethrough.

.6. vApparatus.of the cla-ssdescribed comprising a .hollow bench-like structure having a pluralityof openings .in its top,.a fluid distributing casing Aenclosed Within .the structure in spaced relation vtocertain .of the 'Walls thereof so as to .providebetween said wallsandthe casinga fluid recoverychamber wherewiththe .aforesaid openings communicate, dischargeVv nozzles rising .from said Vcasing into the vaforesaid opningsandstop- Ding short .of the plane of-fsaid.top,`said-benchlike structure being.'adaptedtovsupport over Teach of A-said Aopenings :a freshly -lined open-bottom mold flask, a uid heater of the circulating type characterized by inlet and outlet openings, the former opening communicating with said recovery chamber and the latter opening with said casing whereby to provide a fluid circulating system including the heater, casing, recovery chamber, the interiors of the mold flasks, and fluid impelling means for recirculating fluid through said system.

7. Apparatus of the class described comprising a hollow bench-like structure having a plurality of openings in its top, a fluid distributing casing enclosed within the structure in spaced relation to certain of the walls thereof so as to provide between said Walls and the casing a fluid recovery chamber wherewith the aforesaid openings communicate, discharge nozzles rising from said casing into the aforesaid openings and stopping short of the plane of said top, said bench-like structure being adapted to support over each of said openings a freshly lined mold flask that is open at top and bottom, means applied to the open top of each flask for partially closing the same, a fluid heater of the circulating type characterized by inlet and outlet openings, the former opening communicating with said recovery chamber and the latter opening with said casing whereby to provide a fluid circulating system including the heater, casing, recovery chamber and the interiors of the mold flasks, and fluid impelling means for recirculating fluid through said system.

8. Apparatus of the class described comprising an elongated bench-like structure enclosing a tunnel-like passage and provided with a series of openings in its top that communicate with said passage, a duct of lesser cross sectional area than said passage extending longitudinally thereof, discharge nozzles rising from said duct substantially centrally f said openings and stopping short of the plane of said top, freshly lined open-bottom mold flasks being adapted to be supported upon said structure, one over each of said openings, a fluid heater of the circulatlng type having an inlet communicating with the aforesaid passage and an outlet communicating with said duct, and fluid impelling means for recirculating fluid through the heater, duct, mold ilasks and passage.

9. The combination defined by claim 8, plus: dampers in said nozzles, and means for operating the same extending exteriorly of the structure.

10. Apparatus of the class described comprising an elongated bench-like structure enclosing a tunnel-like passage and provided with a series of openings in its top that communicate with said passage, a duct of lesser cross sectional area than said passage extending longitudinally thereof, discharge nozzles rising from said duct substantially centrally of said openings and stopping short of the plane of said top, adapters for placement upon said structure over said openings, freshly lined open-bottom mold flasks of different sizes being adapted to be supported upon said adapters, the adapters having through passageways over which are disposed the open bottoms of the asks, a fluid heater of the circulating type having an inlet communicating with the aforesaid passage and an outlet communicating with said duct, and fluid impelling means for recirculating fluid through the heater, duct, mold flasks and passage.

11. Apparatus of the class described comprising an elongated bench-like structure enclosing a tunnel-like passage and provided with a series of openings in its top that communicate with said passage, a duct of lesser cross sectional area than said passage extending longitudinally thereof, discharge nozzles rising from said duct substantially centrally of said openings and stopping short of the plane of said top, flow control means associated with said nozzles, adapters for placement upon said structure over said openings, said adapters being constructed to support freshly lined mold flasks of different sizes thatl are open at top and bottom, the adapters having through passageways over which the open bottoms of the flasks are intended to be disposed, means for application to the open tops of the flasks for partially closing the same, a fluid heater of the circulating type having an inlet communicating with the aforesaid passage and an outlet communicating with said duct, and fluid impelling means for creating a circulation of fluid through the heater, duct, mold flasks and passage.

CARL 1T'. MAYER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 23,410 Thompson et al. Mar. 29, 1859 154,006 Benson Aug. 11, 1874 190,634 Smith May 8, 1877 2,417,673 Barnett et al Mar. 18, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 123,769 Great Britain Oct. 2, 1919 

